by Devin Morgan
“Are you sure? You don’t sound like you had a good time.”
“Come on, lie down.” She stood, crossing the room to the recliner. “Let’s get going.” She sat in her chair motioning him toward her.
“Okay.” He sat down, leaned back and rested his head on the cushion. “You know, when I think back to where I was when we started, this has been an amazing trip.”
“You have made so much progress in so many areas of your life, Carlos. You must be proud.”
“It’s kind of hard to admit it, but I am. Sometimes I even feel happy, like when I think I really do have some kind of a future other than being a petty convict. You and Colleen have shown me a part of life I didn’t know existed. And, I like it. I’m still not sure where I’m going but what I am sure of is I’m not going down. I know I can be better than I ever thought I could be and I want that. I want whatever it is that’s called a normal life. I want a place of my own, someplace I can call home. I never thought it would feel good to work and get a paycheck, but it does. Hell, I’m even going to have to pay taxes this year.” He laughed. “A real law abiding citizen. Now if I can only figure out what the hell this vamp is doing in my head, I’ll be home free.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll figure it out together sooner or later. Right now relax and just begin to focus on your breath.”
#
CARLOS HAVARRO, transcript, session 19, July 23
“While there was revelry above ground in the palace so were there festivities below ground in the Catacombs. Sebastian was to be mated. He chose a mortal to be his partner. She chose to become immortal to share his world. The celebration in the coven was for the joining of the two, for her changing. It is the law a human must become one of the undead in order to mate in our world. The changing ceremony had not been performed in many years. Akira and Kansu were to act as officiators of the joining. The ceremony takes three days. My transformation at the temple of Dionysius was much the same save the ceremony. At the end of the vigil, the shift is complete.
The festival in the winter of 1532 was for Sebastian and Emily. They met in the gardens of the palace. After a court banquet, Emily ventured away from the party of strolling courtiers. She heard soft splashes of water from a fountain hidden within the tall hedges of a lover’s maze. She found it, the water sparkling like diamonds in the warm summer moonlight. Standing next to the fountain was Sebastian. It was there they met.
They continued to meet quietly, out of the sight of others. He loved her. He won her love. He was honest and she was brave. She desired to be with him always, desired to become just as he was. Over and over, he petitioned the counsel never being fully refused, yet never receiving permission. He persevered until, at long last, he received their agreement to create a new member in the coven.
It is quite an ordeal for the changeling as well as the ultimate temptation for the vampire. The blood drinker takes a little blood and replaces it with venom. The exchange must be exact and there is no way to measure other than with the vampire senses. It is a time of trial for the changeling. There is immeasurable pain and also ecstasy hidden somewhere deep inside the torment. The overwrought senses beg that it stop yet plead that it go on forever. The changing ritual is performed in seclusion with no witnesses. The vampire must use all skill and discipline not to kill their chosen one. It is the most intimate of times for our kind. Do you wish to hear more?”
She nodded her head and mumbled, “Yes, oh yes.”
On the day of the rite, Akira nodded to me as I entered the sanctuary. As my Queen, she was privy to the many rumors of my unusual choice of human companionship yet she held no judgement against me. I thought her simply benevolent; I know now she favored and indulged me much as a mother would her child.
The light from the candles cast moving shadows on the tapestried walls as Sebastian stood at the foot of the dais. The lovely young woman at his side looked frightened yet ecstatic as she stared into the face of her beloved. His gaze held hers for a very long time then drifted to the beating pulse on the side of her warm throat. I saw a shiver of fear run through her body yet she steeled herself against it. She stood to meet her chosen fate, a brave smile lifting the corners of her lips.
The low bodice of her dress enhanced her long slender neck; her shinning auburn hair was piled high on her head. She was beautiful. The singing beat of her heart called to him. The hunger lit his eyes. He swallowed as his mouth filled with desire.
Akira rose from her throne to face the two supplicants. The royal attendance chamber was large, beautifully appointed and the arena surrounding the central dais was filled with one hundred of our kind fortunate enough to be invited. All were silent as Akira stood before Emily and Sebastian, the small weak female, the strong fierce male. The young mortal was afraid yet she found great courage from somewhere. She stepped forward.
Akira had never been human. She wondered at many of the emotions of our species, questioning her courtiers at length and over millennia . She sought to understand what it meant to feel sentiment be it sorrow or joy, anger or forgiveness. She found the changelings incapable of remembering or unable to explain exactly what an emotion was. Yet on this day, as the ritual began, a palpable sense of peace surrounded us all. Akira hesitated for just a moment before continuing.
She turned to face a young vampire climbing onto the dais. He was carrying a golden chalice resting on a gilded tray. Holding the tray above his head, he knelt on a soft blue velvet cushion as he bowed. Akira relieved him of his burden. He rose then slowly backed from her sight, disappearing into the crowd as she turned to face Sebastian and Emily.
Emily knelt at Akira’s feet, lowering her head in a bow. Tilting the vessel, the Queen slowly poured a soft stream of warm oil onto the bare shoulders of the kneeling girl. As she began to massage the oil into her soft white skin, she chanted softly.
“I relieve you of the burden of the sorrow of killing to live, a life for a life.”
Emily slowly lifted her head. Akira poured a drop of oil onto her forehead, whispering softly, “To open your mind to the knowledge of the millennia held in the mind of your chosen one.”
Emily stood, raising the hem of her skirt to her knees. Akira stooped to drop oil on her feet then massaged the warm liquid in circular motions. “That you may walk with the pride of an immortal though all eternity.”
I stepped closer to the dais to see the couple more clearly. This was the first I saw a human make the choice to be a vampire. Only once have I hated myself for being what I am, only when I wanted to take Elizabeth for my wife. My changing was not my decision, not of my doing. This young woman had a choice. Her adoration for Sebastian showed in her eyes as she looked at him. When her gaze caught his, I could see something alive between them that one could almost touch, the very reason for her being here. Love. On occasion Gabriella and Richard had that mystical air about them. In those moments, I longed for my lost maid, my Bess.
Akira stood quite still. Khansu rose from his throne. He moved to her side, reaching to touch first Emily on her brow, then Sebastian. Akira did the same. The couple bowed then backed slowly from the chamber. The royal couple returned to their thrones. The attendees broke into scattered groups, the ceremony complete.
Sebastian and Emily were led to the privacy of their rooms. There they performed the secret rite; he exchanged her blood for his vampire venom a little at a time. Slowly he brought her to be his mate, his child, his only family. When they emerged from the chamber, they would be of the same kind, of the same lineage, pledged to one another as immortals.
As I made my way back to the castle, I pondered. Would any human woman ever do such a thing for me? What do you think, Sarah? Do you know of a human woman who would do such a thing for me? Hum?”
She stammered, “I don’t know. I don’t really know.”
“You think about that Sarah. Keep it in your mind always. Would you do such a thing for love?”
She could tell right away that Aris had left the buildin
g. The atmosphere in the room changed immediately when his essence disappeared. She sat quietly for a moment questioning herself Would she do such a thing for love?
CHAPTER 30
The thought of seeking out Manu wouldn’t leave her alone. Every time the situation came into her mind, and that was plenty, she thought of going to talk to him but it scared her to death. She remembered the evil look on his face as he stalked her when she left the subway. But she knew if she brought Colleen and Bob into it Carlos would find out what had been going on and she didn’t want that. She didn’t want him in another confrontation with Manu. Even though the idea of meeting with the gang leader frightened her, the episode with the tires really was the last straw. She had no proof it was his gang that flattened the tires, another car had been vandalized too, but it didn’t matter. The phone calls to Mrs. Havarro. The possibility that Maggie really had been followed. She had to know. The harassment had to stop. She was the only one, it seemed, who might convince him to lay off Carlos. “Am I nuts? No, I can do this.”
She carried her coffee mug to the sink in one hand, the telephone in the other. She had Isabella Havarro on speed dial. She hit the buttons to connect a call. The phone rang a hollow note for two rings. A soft woman’s voice answered.
“Hello.”
“Isabella?”
“Yes?”
“This is Sarah Hagan.” She poured another cup of coffee, then made her way back to the comfort of her sofa. She sat in a sunbeam coming through the patio door. She waited for the other woman to respond.
There was a silence that lasted for such a long time, Sarah thought she lost the signal. She opened her mouth to ask if they were still connected when Carlos’ mother spoke.
“Yes Sarah, what can I do for you?” Her voice sounded tight, unfriendly.
“Isabella, I need your help.”
“I’m sorry but you will have to find help some other place. I cannot help you.” It was a statement that left no room for negotiation, but Sarah refused to take no for an answer.
“What has happened, Isabella? What’s wrong?” She placed her coffee cup on the table next to the sofa. She stood, pacing back and forth in front of the patio door as she continued the conversation.
“Nothing has happened. I just don’t want to get involved in this anymore, that’s all.”
“But Isabella?”
“No Miss Hagan.” She was firm. “No.”
Sarah sighed. The illusive Manu had gotten hold of Isabella again. She was sure of it. Her irritation with his scare tactics began to outweigh her fear. She was even more determined to contact him to tell him to back off.
“Alright, I understand. I just need to know where Manu hangs out. I’m going to talk to him.”
There was panic in the voice of the older woman. “No, you must not go to him. He will hurt you.”
“Someone has to put a halt to all this and I’m going to talk to him. Now, you can make it easy by telling me where to find him or hard by not telling me but you’re not going to stop me. I’ve had enough of Manu.”
Silence surrounded her. When Isabella spoke, it was with resignation. She told Sarah where Carlos’ old gang hung out. She said a quick goodbye. Sarah placed the phone on the table. She sat on the couch, wondering what happened to make Isabella so frightened she wouldn’t even talk on the phone. She was attacked by momentary panic at the thought of what she planned to do but she took control.
“I’m going to see him. I’m not afraid.” Even she didn’t believe the whispered words that came from her lips.
#
The neighborhood was run down. Abandoned cars seemed to be on every block. Tattered curtains and blinds with missing slats were in apartment windows on both sides of the streets. She even saw a line of laundry hanging on a fire escape. The street looked like a scene from a fifties police movie.
She wondered why the street was so empty in the middle of a beautiful fall day. The only pedestrian was an elderly man in torn jeans and a tee shirt with a peace sign logo on the back. He hobbled along with the use of a cane, stopping every few feet to take a rest. A car pulled up to the curb. The old man watched as a teenaged boy jumped out of the back seat. He waved goodbye to his friends, turning to go up the steps into one of the apartment buildings. Sarah saw that the boy was dressed similar to the old man, torn jeans and a tee shirt with a peace sign logo on the back. She thought it ironic that the man dressed that way out of necessity, the boy because he chose it.
She knew the coffee shop should be in the next couple of blocks so she slowed the car. Isabella didn’t know the address or the name, just the general location. It was the only coffee shop in the neighborhood. Her hands felt ice cold on the steering wheel, her mouth dry, as she saw it on the next corner.
Suddenly, a car horn blasted long and loud right behind her. She jumped, looking into the rear view mirror. Carlos stopped his car in the middle of the street. He jumped out of the door, bearing down on her, obviously furious.
“What the hell are you doing here?” He jerked her door open, leaning into the car. His face was inches from hers. His eyes flashed with anger.
“I came to talk to Manu.” She didn’t flinch. Her eyes held his when she spoke.
He spluttered, unable to believe his ears. His words were loud, harsh. “You what?” He stood, turning his back on her. He was silent for a moment, while he willed control of his anger. He looked at her, speaking very softly to keep from shouting. He continued, “You were going to talk to Manu? Are you out of your mind?”
“I’m just tired of all this intrigue. I don’t want you hurt again.” “Sarah, I’m a big boy. I can handle myself.” He closed the door, stepping away from the car. “Go back to the office. I’ll meet you there. We have to talk. You can’t go running around getting involved with people who could hurt you.”
He turned to walk to his car, then stopped, looking at her once more. “But I’m kind a glad you care enough to put yourself on a limb for me.” He smiled at her, waiting for her to make a u-turn to head back to her side of town.
#
It was two hours before Carlos walked into her office. He sat in a chair opposite her and took a long drink from the can of soda he brought with him.
“Why won’t you believe me, there’s nothing to tell. You know it all.” He met her eyes when he spoke but Sarah didn’t believe Carlos.
“Why is this guy so determined to get you back on the street? Why doesn’t he just leave you alone?”
“I honestly don’t know, Sarah. I was his second in command. I know about all the robberies and the drive by. Maybe he’s afraid I’ll turn on him. That’s the only thing I can think of.”
“Would you turn on him?” She leaned forward in her chair, resting her elbows on her desk.
“No. I told you. I may not want to live like that anymore but I’ll never turn on a brother.” He smashed the empty soda can. He tossed it into the trash. “So, I’m here, you’re here. How about a session? I could use a little relaxation time with the vamp.” He grinned at her as he walked to the recliner. He settled down into the comfortable cushions. “What do you say, Sarah? How about a little ‘deep sleep’.”
She realized that conversation about Manu was a lost cause so she sighed, picked up the recorder from her desk and moved across the room to her chair. She sat down, pushing the record button.
“All right, just begin to focus on your breath.”
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CARLOS HAVARRO, transcript, session 20, July 30
Sebastian and Emily were mated that winter as were the King and Anne. The English royals married officially the end of January of that year. Well they did because the following September, a child was born.
While Anne carried the King’s child, he waited on her as her loyal servant. He was tender and loving. While in her presence, he looked at no other maid. She fulfilled his purpose, his desire, carrying the future prince, the prospective King of England. Her womb held proof of his virility, a witness to his youth a
nd power.
When the Queen began her lying in, he visited her every day. She hated the dark room, miserable, spending every moment in bed with hangings over all the windows to keep out the light, surrounded by nothing but women. She despised the mid-wives and court ladies constantly telling her horror stories of birth and death. She wanted to scream long before the pains began. Then, scream she did. We could hear her in the outer chamber.
The King requested some of his closest friends and personal guards to stand with him as he waited for the birth. I was there along with several of his most trusted gentlemen. Henry was agitated. His heels clicked on the stones of the floor as he paced restlessly.
Suddenly, all was quiet, no sounds issued from the birthing room. Just as the door cracked open, the King grabbed it, yanking hard. The midwife stood on the other side. “It is done, my lord. The Queen is delivered.”
Laughing, he rushed past her. “My son, I want to see my son. Where is my son?” The door closed behind him.
All was quiet. Suddenly, we heard the cry of a babe. In a moment the King returned, his step heavy, his face crestfallen. “I have not a son, but another daughter.” He stood still in front of us all, his feet planted apart in his familiar stance, his hands on his hips, his gaze cast to the floor. In deathlike silence, Henry remained frozen to the spot. He looked at his men, one at a time. At last, he began to smile. “A healthy daughter. And if we can have a healthy daughter, we can have a healthy prince. Her name shall be Elizabeth and she is a red haired Tudor to be sure.”
Henry did his best to play the part of the proud father yet all the court knew he was deeply disappointed. Anne had not presented him with a prince. That evening he and his fellows drank great amounts of wine to celebrate the birth. Soon they were all sodden and his false gayety turned to deep melancholy. He whined he was betrayed. Anne promised him a son but presented him a girl. He bellowed and cried until, at last, George Boleyn assisted him to his rooms. He staggered out the door, his huge frame resting on the lean arm of Anne’s brother.